Our Destinations
Letter Randocheval
Why travelling with Randocheval ?
USA - ARIZONA : HORSE RIDING TRAILS IN SONORAN DESERT...
Itinerary - Extensions - Horses and required riding level
Guiding - Accommodation - Dates and rates - More infos / booking
Arizona and the Sonoran Desert, on the border between the USA and Mexico,
are the Symbol of the American West: Tombstone, OK Corral…all these
things don't only exist in the movies! In the past those regions were populated by the Apaches, and this state has still the most substantial Indian population. We propose you trail rides at an intensive rhythm, in bivouac among those splendid wild areas, on Appaloosas, Quarter horses and Arab purebreds and crosses… |
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* You can take part in 1 of the 2 weeks only if you want.
SPECIAL OFFERS ON ALL DEPARTURE DATES - please see our rates below.
ITINERARY
FOLLOWING APACHES FOOTPRINTS
(2 weeks itinerary, you can also book only 1 week)
Saturday
Arrival and reception by our guides at Tucson airport at 07:00 pm,
transfer to the ranch in the Foothills of the Sierrita Mountains.
Sunday
After a hearty cowboy breakfast we'll have a brief pre-ride meeting
and than select our horses for the next one or two weeks. We'll
saddle up and go for a ride in the picturesque Saguaro National
Park west, where many movies were made. In the afternoon we'll stop
at the Desert Museum (no stuffed animals; it's a zoo with all those
creepy, crawling, flying and biting desert inhabitants), and possibility
to buy the missing equipment on the spot (chaps, sunglasses, hat…),
on the way back to the ranch.
Monday
We'll explore the surrounding Sierrita Mountains and might get a
closer look at some of those creatures we saw yesterday without
a fence in-between. One more night will be spent at the ranch. (4-6
h, 16 miles/25 km)
Tuesday
We'll ride through some of the largest cattle ranches of the southwest
to our next camp by Pozo Nuevo. This ride will lead us through the
typical Sonoran Desert with majestic Saguaros and other cacti (watch
out for those Jumping cactus; they got their name for a reason).
(6-8 h, 20 miles/32 km)
Wednesday
Today we'll discover a different Arizona. The cacti soon give way
to the grass covered plains of the Buenos Aires wildlife refuge.
Antelopes, a diversity of deer, Javalinas and any number of smaller
creatures inhabit this area. Our camp is setup for one of those
vacation sunset photographs. (6-8 h, 20 miles/32 km)
Thursday
A long day ride will take us by Yellow Jacket and to Arivaca Lake.
Prepare yourself for a 7-miles/11 km long canter along a beautiful
sand wash and the increasing mountain terrain with endless views.
There will be an opportunity to go for a refreshing swim at the
lake after the ride. (8-9 h, 25 miles/40 km)
Friday
A long ride along the Mexican Border to Pena Blanca will take us
by Ruby (a historic mining turned ghost town) and to Sycamore canyon,
where we can look for goedes in the midst of an impressive canyon.
(8-9 h, 25 miles/40 km)
Saturday
This day is reserved for transfers of one-week guests from and to
the airport. For the two weekers there'll be an opportunity to do
some shopping in the border town Nogales and a afternoon ride along
the Arizona trail from Patagonia into Gardner Canyon at the base
of Mt. Wrightston. (4 h, 12 miles/19 km)
Sunday
We'll follow the Arizona trail north to Kentucky Camp (another historic
mining depot). Still working Gold mines and steep mountain trails
will make this ride an unforgettable adventure. (6-8 h, 18 miles/29
km)
Monday
In the morning we'll take a short drive to Tombstone for some more
excitement. After a 'real' gunfight at the Helldorado we'll head
out into the Dragon Mountains where we spend another afternoon riding
through very picturesque rock sculptures of Apache country. (2 h,
6 miles/9 km)
Tuesday
Today we'll follow the trails of the Apache chief Cochise. The ride
over the stronghold divide, a ride to Half-moon tank, and up the
hidden trail the Cavalry used to find the renegades, will take us
around the entire mountain range, back to camp. ( 9-10 h, 28 miles/45
km)
Wednesday
In the morning we undertake another exploration to a ceremonial
area with several medicine wheels near Chinaman's mine and than
transfer camp into the Chiricahua mountains. (3-4 h, 10 miles/16
km)
Thursday
Base camp lies in a beautiful canyon in the midst of tall pines
at over 4500 ft. elevation and during our ride we'll be climbing
to the almost 9000 ft high fire tower on Barfoot Peak for an incredible
panoramic view of Mexico, New Mexico and Arizona. (6-8 h, 18 miles/29
km)
Friday
In the morning we'll take another ride up to Onion saddle and than
return back to the ranch. A farewell dinner will bring the trail
to great ending to a most memorable trip. Transfer to a hotel near
the airport after dinner
(3-4 h, 10 miles/16 km).
Saturday
Return flight.
CROSSING ARIZONA...
(2 weeks, you can also book only 1 week)
Day 1 - Saturday
Pick up at Tucson Airport and transport to camp in the Huachuca
Mtns, close to the Mexican border.
Day 2 - Sunday
We start our ride with a breathtaking mountain trail ride up and
along the Montezuma Pass crest trail through Miller Peak Wilderness
area. Incredible views of the surrounding mountains and the San
Pedro Valley await us. Twenty miles further we’ll enjoy a great
meal at our next camp near Parker Canyon Lake. ( 20 miles )
Day 3 - Monday
We’ll follow the old mining roads over grass covered hills
and scenic canyons through the Canelo Hills where we camp at Canelo
Pass for the night. ( 18 miles )
Day 4 - Tuesday
We continue our ride through Red Rock Canyon into Harshaw Canyon
just outside of the sleepy little mining town of Patagonia where
we spend the night (28 miles).
Day 5 - Wednesday
Todays ride will lead us over old mining roads up into the Mt.
Wrightson Wilderness area. We’ll be climbing another 2000 feet
on a small mountain trail and decend into Gardner Canyon via a historic
aquaduct. Camp in Gardner Canyon (25 miles)
Day 6 - Thursday
This ride will be nice and relaxing on relatively level terrain.
We’ll stop at Kentucky Camp, (a historic mining camp) for lunch
and then ride through oak pine and rich grass lands to Greaterville
where we will camp for the night. (18 miles)
Day 7 - Friday
From our camp in Oak tree canyon we’ll traverse the Empire
cienega wildlife refuge towards Benson. We’ll camp overnight
at the J- Six Equestrian center near the old cowtown of Benson.
If time permits we’ll have a shopping opportunity in town or
a chance for a farewell party for one weekers in a saloon. ( 30
miles)
This will be the last ride for "one week" guests. Drop off and pick-up for "one week" guests is in Tucson.
Day 8 - Saturday
This ride starts in the scenic Happy Valley east of the Rincon
Mtns. We will follow another mountain trail up into the Saguaro
National Monument east, where oak trees start yielding to a more
desert landscape with fields of giant saguaros and plenty of otherspecies
of cacti. Camp will be at Redington Pass. ( 30 miles )
Day 9 - Sunday
We’ll ride through ever growing saguaro fields into the
Catalina Mountains overlooking the entire city of Tucson and surrounding
valley. We’ll climb even higher into the rugged mountains covered
with saguaros, prickly pears and Cholla cactus until we reach our
camp at Prison Camp Road ( No, there is no longer a prison at this
site.) (15 miles)
Day 10 - Monday
We ride up up to the skiing town of Summerhaven. Slowly the
desert landscape will give way to a more upper Sonoran desert zone
with oak, manzanita. Pinion pine and juniper trees, going through
a transition with plenty of Ponderosa pines. On the last stretch
we’ll even encounter fir ,spruce and aspen as we reach elevations
over 8000 feet. (25 miles )
Day 11 - Tuesday
Today we will descend from Mt.Lemmon to the historic American
Flag Ranch Trail head near Oracle where we take a well deserved
break and enjoy another delicious dinner in camp by the old "
Cody Trail ( 4500 ft. elev. change ; 25 miles )
Day 12 - Wednesday
This ride will lead us over old cowboy trails from White Canyon
to Picketpost mountain. We will encounter beautiful yellow and ochre
stratified rock outcroppings and other fantastic movie worthy rock
formations. ( 2000 ft. elev. Change, 16 miles )
Day 13 - Thursday
We’ll continue on through the Tonto National Forest into
the Superstition Wilderness Area. The Sonoran Desert will present
itself at it’s best with it’s panoramic views, various
life zones and stream bed riparian habitants. (25 miles )
Day 14 - Friday
On we ride through the Reavis Ranch,an old fruit and vegetable
farm from the legendary recluse Elisha Reavis, who supplied all
the neighboring mining camps and the military in the late 1800’s.
We’ll cross several streams to end up at Roosevelt Lake where
we make camp for the night. ( 20 miles )
This will end the "2 weeks" trail. Guests will be transported
to Phoenix for departures back Home.
Important : Itineraries and rides may slightly change according
to weather, condition of the horses, availability of the Indian guide
and level of the riders. Camp sites and lunch spots can be altered. The
guide reserves the right for these changes.
EXTEND YOUR TRIP
Please contact us for any enquiry !
HORSES AND REQUIRED RIDING LEVEL
Horses
The horses are mainly Arab purebreds crossed with the traditional horses of the American West: Appaloosas and Quarter horse. Also the horses are from Appaloosas, to Arabians, Quarter Horses, Mustangs and Missouri foxtrotters.
All of them work with the cattle and are used to the steep relief (in particular on the "Oregon trail").
Certain horses are specialists in Reining and other particularities of the western horsemanship. If you want to, Dominique will initiate you into those particularities with great pleasure.
Tack
The tack is western with comfortable cordura saddles. Cantle bags, saddlebags and canteens will be provided.
Required riding level
The trail rides' rhythm is quite intensive, from 5 to 7h each day in the saddle, but they can adapt themselves to the level of each one. However, it is necessary to be able to easily manage a horse at the 3 paces, to have certain endurance in the saddle, and to know how to look after your horse (grooming, saddling, and unsaddling).
What to take
Boots or comfortable shoes for riding.
Comfortable clothes, short- and long-sleeved shirts, warm clothes for the night (always cool in the desert)
Chaps, hat, torch, bath towel, raincoat
Sleeping bag, camera, sun cream
The guide is responsible for your safety, therefore he can ask you not to ride if your riding level is not sufficient for this ride.
For your safety, we recommend always to wear a riding helmet while on horseback.
YOUR GUIDES
Our guides, Dominique and Ron speak German, English
and some of French. Dominique comes from Germany and Ron comes from
Arizona.
They organise horseback trip in Arizona for years now and welcome
international riders.
ACCOMMODATION
Nights are spent in comfortable roomy 3-4 person tents , with rubber mattresses, pillows and a trailer with the toilet equipment (hot shower but with limited water).
In the morning, you have to prepare your lunch which will be carried in the saddle bag and allows you to chose your meal as you desire.
You have to know that alcohol-free beverages (water, soda, fruit juice...) are provided on the trail.
If you want alcohol beverage, you have to buy it before going on the trail (in Cortez for example) Accommodation at the ranch, very simple but authentic.
DATES AND RATES
| Following Apache Footprints 2008 | ||
| October 4 to 18 - 2 weeks |
|
fully booked |
| Oct. 04 to 11 - 1 week |
|
fully booked |
| October 11 to 18 - 1 week |
|
fully booked |
| October 25 to November 8- 2 weeks |
|
fully booked |
| October 25 to November 1 - 1 week |
|
available |
| November 1 to 8 - 1 week |
|
available |
| Arizona Trail 2008 | ||
| November 15 to 29 - 2 weeks |
fully booked |
|
| November 15 to 22 - 1 week |
fully booked |
|
| November 22 to 29 - 1 week |
fully booked |
|
Single supplement
- 80 € 70 € for one week trails
- 150 € 140 € for two weeks trails
Only for riders who ask for a single room. For those who are willing to
share, will not pay the supplement even if they are finally in a single
tent/room.
Flights to Phoenix or Tucson (Arizona)
Please contact us to check the best available rate from your country.
RATE INCLUDING
- riding trail as described on full board and double room/tent basis,- financial guarantee of the deposits you send to Randocheval
RATE NOT INCLUDING
- flights to the starting and finishing point of the ride- drinks
- tips
- personal expenses
- pptionnal insurances : more information...
BOOKING - INFORMATION
Contact Anne, the specialist for this destination
PRATICAL INFORMATIONS
COUNTRY
Arizona (USA)
LENGTH
LANGUAGE
English and Dominique speak German and some of French.
GROUP SIZE
Minimum 5 - Maximum 10 riders.
ACCESS
- Following Apaches Footsprints: Tucson
- Arizona Trail (arrival/departure):
- First week : Tucson/Tucson
- Second week : Phoenix/Phoenix
- Two weeks : Tucson/Phoenix
CLIMATE
Very hot in summer (38°C) in the region of Tucson where we move, which explains that our rides take place from September to May.Even in January, the temperatures vary between 18 and 21°C in the afternoon, and it freezes rarely in the night.
Where the steep mountains meet with the Sonoran Desert, low altitude variations are enough to lead to substantial fluctuations in the climate. Allow even so clothes allowing you to brave all the climatic situations.
Formalities
Check with your local Embassy according to your nationality.
Vaccines-Health
It is necessary to be up to date concerning your usual vaccinations, in
particular for the tetanus vaccine.
Remember that a repatriation travel insurrance is compulsory.
REFERENCE :CH85-arizona
